Recording machine



April 28, 1964 Filed June 15, 1959 B. A. PROCTOR RECORDING MACHINE PEP.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 3,4/1TON 4. PPOCTOE ATTORNEYS April 28, 1964B. A. PROCTOR RECORDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 15, 1959 IINVENTOR 34? MN ,4. P'Pocrw? ATTORNEYS April 28, 1964 B. A. PROCTORRECORDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 15, 1959 Tzclj- INVENTOR34/?7'0/V/4PFOC7'0E- TTOR EYS United States Patent 3,130,975 REODRDINGMACHINE Barton A. Proctor, 42 Hillside Road, Larchmont, N.Y., assignorof thirty-three and one-third percent to Albert C. Nolte, New York, N.Y.

Filed June 15, 1959, Ser. No. 820,455 16 Claims. (Cl. 27411) Thisinvention relates in general to recording and reproducing machines andin particular to a new and useful tape transport mechanism includingimproved driving means for the constant velocity winding of therecording medium.

The present invention is particularly concerned with a small sizeportable tape recording machine which operates With the use of amagazine having two reels with a recording medium such as tape which isfed from one reel to the other during the recording and windingoperations. The magazine for the tape is provided with a door at one endwhich may be opened to expose the tape so that this end may bepositioned against a set of magnetic heads which are located within thetape unit. A feature of this construction is that reels of the tapes areexposed through an opening for driving the tape directly on its reelthrough a central capstan and a pair of idler discs which may bepositioned in contact with either the tape on one reel or the other forconstant speed driving of the tape. The invention is an improvement overother apparatus of this character, particularly in respect to thedriving mechanism which permits constant speed winding in eitherdirection in a very small sized magazine-type recording unit.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedtape transport mechanism.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tape transportmechanism including a central capstan drive which may be selectivelypositioned to rotate one of two cooperating idler rollers which rollersmay be moved into driving engagement with the tape on either of tworeels in the magazine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tape recordermagazine construction including an opening for positioning the tape inalignment with a magnetic recording head at one side and an opening atthe opposite side of the magzine to accommodate driving mechanism forrotating a selective one of each of the reels in the magazine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tape transportmechanism which is simple in design, rugged in construction andeconomical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated and described a preferredembodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a transverse section of a tape recording and reproducing unitconstructed in accordance with the invention and taken on line 11 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tape driving mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a magazine for use with the taperecorder; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the magazine indicated in FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention as embodiedtherein includes a substantially block-shaped housing generallydesignated 10 having an interior horizontal dividing partition 12 whichsupports the operating mechanism. A driving motor 14 is suspended fromthe partition 12 and includes a pulley 16 attached to its main outputshaft 18 and which is connected by a belt 20 to rotate a pulley 22aflixed to a shaft 24. The shaft 24 is supported for rotation within ahollow sleeve member 26 held in a U-shaped casting 17.

Affixed to the shaft 24 for rotation therwith is a pulley 28 whichdrives a pulley 30 on a capstan shaft 32 by means of a belt 34.

The capstan shaft 32 is rotatably supported in a vertical position by asleeve member (not shown) located within a block member generallydesignated 36. Afiixed to the lower end of the shaft 32 is a largeflywheel 38 for insuring that the rotational speed of the shaft 32 isuniform.

In accordance with the invention the block member 36 is pivoted on thesleeve member 26 and it may be swung by means of a handle 40 whichextends outwardly from the exterior of the housing 10 between twolateral extreme positions. Coil springs 42 and 44 extend laterallyoutwardly from each side of the block member 36 to permit the springs tobe swung against an abutment member (not shown) and to bias theblock-shaped member in a direction outwardly therefrom into a neutralposition.

The driving capstan shaft 32 extends vertically upwardly through alaterally elongated slot 46 of an L- shaped member 48. The L-shapedmember 48 is pivoted as at 50 to the block member 36 and is providedwith an idler pulley mounting bracket generally designated 52 which issecured to the upper end face of a Vertical leg thereof. The idlerpulley mounting bracket 52 is pro vided with two outwardly extendingarms 54 and 56 which are approximately degrees apart and are positionedon each side of the upper end of the driving capstan 32. Driving discs58 and 60 are rotatably mounted at each end of the arms 54 and 56,respectively.

The driving discs 58 and 60 extend above the partition wall 12 and arein horizontal alignment with but laterally spaced from magneticrecording heads generally designated 62. The space between the magneticrecording heads 62 and the driving discs 58 and 60 is great enough toaccommodate a reel and tape magazine generally designated 64. Themagazine 64 is generally flat box-shaped and is provided with an opening66 to accommodate one or the other of the driving discs 58 and 60 whichmay be selectively positioned in driving contact with magnetic tape 68which extends between a pair of tape reels 70 and 72 which are rotatablymounted Within the magazine 64. The opposite end of the magazine isprovided with a door 74 which is connected by hinges 76 to the body ofthe magazine so that it may be swung open to permit pressing of the tapeagainst the magnetic heads 62 when the magazine is inserted within thehousing 10. When the magazine is positioned within the housing the door74 is swung against the top face of the magazine container. The oppositeside of the magazine is aligned in the position indicated in FIG. 2.

In accordance with the invention when it is desired to drive either thereel 70 or the reel 72 it is merely necessary to move the handle 40toward this reel in order to first bring the driving disc 60 intocontact with the tape on the reel 70. Continued movement of the handle40 in this direction effects pivoting of the L-shaped member 48 untilthe driving capstan 32 is brought adjacent the driving disc 60 to causerotation thereof and driving of the tape through the disc by actualcontact therewith. In FIG. 1 the driving disc 6t is indicated in a tapedriving position. Suitable means (not shown) are provided to maintainthe driving capstan 32 in driving contact with the disc 60 and the discin driving contact with the tape 68. Since the tape 68 is beingconstantly wound onto the reel 70 by the driving capstan 312, the pointof contact between the disc 60 and the tape shifts along a radial linegradually outwardly in a direction from the center of the reel 70 to theouter edge thereof. Suitable means (not shown) are provided to permitthis radial shifting of the capstan and the associated driving disc.

Referring to FIG. 2, the magazine 64 is provided with a brake levermember generally designated 80 which is pivotally mounted on anupstanding bracket 82 on a bottom interior wall of the magazine beneatheach reel 70 and 72. Each lever member 80 includes a cushioned brake arm84 which is biased against the bottom face of its associated reel 70 or72 by a coil spring $6 wound around a pivot pin 83. The brake levermember 34) includes another arm 90' on the opposite side of the pivotpin 88, which extends above an opening (not shown) in the bottom of themagazine. The block member 36 is provided with a member (not shown)which is biased against the underside of the wall 12 (FIGS. 1 and 3),and which enters the opening of the magazine to raise the arm 99 andmove the cushioned end 84 out of contact with its associated reelwhenever the capstan is moved to a position to drive the tape onto thisreel. Thus, the reel which is being unwound is always braked by thelever member 80, and the brake is disengaged when it is being wound.

Thus, the invention provides a novel magazine-type tape recorder inwhich the magazine may be easily inserted into the top of the unit whichhouses the driving and recording mechanism. The magazine is constructedso that one end may be positioned in alignment with the magneticrecording heads and the other end may be positioned to receive a drivingmember to transport the tape in either direction past the magneticrecording heads. The invention provides a simple means for eitherwinding-or unwinding the tape from either of two reels in the magazineby the mere positioning of a driving disc member either 58 or 60 intocontact with the tape of the associated reel 70 and 72. The drivingmechanism is extremely simple using only one main driving capstan, whichmay be alternately arranged to drive through one or the other of twodriving disc members for winding or unwinding purposes of the tape ofthe magazine.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventionprinciples, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. In a recording device including a housing having an opening therein,a recording head adjacent one side of said opening, and driving meansadjacent the opposite side of said opening, the improvement comprising amagazine, said magazine having at least two reels having tape thereonand extending therebetween, said reels being rotatably mounted in saidmagazine, a first opening for receiving said recording head in one sideof said magazine, said tape being disposed across said first opening, asecond opening accommodating at least a portion of said driving means inthe side of said magazine opposite said first opening, said reels beingexposed in said second opening whereby to afford access for drivingmechanism to contact said tape on said reels.

2. In a recording device according to claim 1, including a door arrangedin said first opening of said magazine, said door being pivotallymounted whereby it may be swung open to expose said tape for access bysaid recording head.

3. A recording medium transport mechanism for a tape recorder and thelike comprising a first and a second reel, recording medium wound uponsaid reels and extending therebetween, and a driving mechanism for saidrecording medium including an upstanding rotating capstan, idler rollermeans adjacent said capstan, and means for shifting said idler rollermeans into contact with said recording medium at its location on one ofsaid first and second reels and for thereafter shifting said capstaninto direct surface contact with said idler roller means whereby todrive said recording medium by contact therewith.

4. A recording medium transport mechanism according to claim 3, whereinsaid roller means includes a disc member rotatably mounted on each sideof said capstan.

5. A recording medium transport mechanism according to claim 4 includingsingle handle means to shift a predetermined one of said rollers againstthe recording medium of an adjacent reel and thereafter to shift saidcapstan into contact with said disc member.

6. A recording medium transport mechanism comprising first and secondspaced reel members, a recording medium extending between and beingwindable upon each of said reels, recording head means between saidreels positioned to actuate said recording medium, and recording mediumdriving means between said reels including an upstanding capstan shaft,means to continuously rotate said capstan shaft, a first idler roller onone side of said capstan shaft adjacent said first reel, a second idlerrolier on the other side of said capstan shaft adjacent said secondreel, said first and second idler rollers and said capstan shaft beingshiftable about a pivotal location between sai first and second reels,and means to shift a predetermined one of said first and second rollersinto contact with the recording medium on a predetermined one of saidfirst and second reels, said means including means to shift said capstaninto driving engagement with said predetermined first and second rollerwhereby to drive said recording medium through said capstan to saidpredetermined roller and then to said recording medium.

7. A recording medium transport mechanism according to claim 6, whereinsaid first and second reels are arranged in a magazine unit which isdetachable from said recording unit.

8. A recording medium transport mechanism according to claim 7, whereinsaid magazine has an opening on each side, along one of which saidrecording medium extends for contact with said recording head and theother being large enough to accommodate one of said first and secondrollers.

9. A recording medium transport mechanism comprising a housing having anopening in one wall, recording head means adjacent one end of saidopening, driving means adjacent the other end of sad opening and meansto accommodate a magazine between said driving means and said recordinghead means, said driving means including an upstanding capstan member,means to continuously rotate said capstan member, a pivotal L-shapedmember, first and second idler pulleys extending outwardly from anupstanding leg of said L-shaped member on each side of said capstan,said L-shaped member having a laterally elongated lateral slot toaccommodate said capstan, and handle means to pivot said L-shaped membertoward and away from said magazine, a magazine positioned in saidhousing, said magazine including two spaced reels, record ing mediumwound on said reels and extending therebetween, said idler rollers beingshiftable into contact with the recording medium on an associated one ofsaid first and second reels, and said capstan being shiftable intocontact with a respective one of said roller means whereby to drive saidrecording medium.

10. In a recording device according to claim 1, including a brake leverpivotally mounted below each of said reels, including an arm biased intoengagement with an associated reel, and an opening below the other armof said brake lever adapted to receive an actuator to release said leverfrom engagement with said reel.

11. A cartridge for a recording medium and the like comprising a housinghaving a bottom portion, a top portion and a plurality of sides, atleast two recording medium reels rotatably mounted in said housing, saidhousing having an opening between said reels on one side thereof foraccommodating means external to said cartridge for driving saidrecording medium onto a respective one of said reels, and a secondopening in a side of said housing said second opening being spaced fromsaid first opening for accommodating a recording head, and means in saidhousing for guiding said recording medium past said second opening.

12. In a recording device including spaced reel members for winding andunwinding recording medium thereof, a recording head disposed adjacentsaid reel members, and means for guiding said recording medium past saidrecording head, the improvement comprising single rotatable drivingcapstan means, and means for pivotally supporting said driving capstanmeans for movement into en gagement with the recording medium on arespective one of said reels.

13. In a recording device including a housing having an opening therein,a magnetic head adjacent one side of said opening, and driving meansadjacent the opposite side of said opening, the improvement comprising amagazine, said magazine having tape wound on reel means, said reel meansbeing rotatably mounted in said magazine, a first opening for receivingsaid magnetic head in one side of said magazine, said tape beingdisposed across said first opening, a second opening accommodating atleast a portion of said driving means in the side of said magazineopposite said first opening, said reel means being exposed in saidsecond opening to provide access for at least a portion of said drivingmeans to contact said tape on said reel means.

14. A recording medium transport mechanism, comprising a laterallyshiftable capstan shaft means for driving a recording medium, andlaterally shiftable friction idler wheel means for drivingly engaging onthe same circumferential surface thereof said capstan shaft and saidrecording medium for connecting said capstan shaft to said recordingmedium.

15. A recording medium transport mechanism, comprising a laterallyshiftable capstan, laterally shiftable friction idler wheel means fordrivingly engaging said capstan and connecting it to a recording mediumon the same perimeter of said friction idler wheel means, and magnetichead means substantially opposite said capstan.

16. A recording medium transport mechanism, comprising two reels for arecording medium, a capstan laterally shiftable between said two reels,friction idler means laterally slidable between said two reels anddrivingly connecting said capstan to a recording medium on a preselectedone of said two reels, said friction idler means in cluding a frictionwheel frictionally engageable on its perimeter simultaneously by saidcapstan and the recording medium on one of said reels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,457,699 Marsen Dec. 28, 1948 2,712,448 Schroter July 5, 1955 2,719,884Reed et al. Oct. 4, 1955 2,732,144 Jones Jan. 24, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS1,048,235 France Dec. 21, 1953 712,536 Great Britain July 28, 1954971,401 Germany Jan. 22, 1959

1. IN A RECORDING DEVICE INCLUDING A HOUSING HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN,A RECORDING HEAD ADJACENT ONE SIDE OF SAID OPENING, AND DRIVING MEANSADJACENT THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID OPENING, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING AMAGAZINE, SAID MAGAZINE HAVING AT LEAST TWO REELS HAVING TAPE THEREONAND EXTENDING THEREBETWEEN, SAID REELS BEING ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAIDMAGAZINE, A FIRST OPENING FOR RECEIVING SAID RECORDING HEAD IN ONE SIDEOF SAID MAGAZINE, SAID TAPE BEING DISPOSED ACROSS SAID FIRST OPENING, ASECOND OPENING ACCOMMODATING AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID DRIVING MEANS INTHE SIDE OF SAID MAGAZINE OPPOSITE SAID FIRST OPENING, SAID REELS BEINGEXPOSED IN SAID SECOND OPENING WHEREBY TO AFFORD ACCESS FOR DRIVINGMECHANISM TO CONTACT SAID TAPE ON SAID REELS.